ACT Therapy
The problem is not your feelings, but what your feelings make you do! ACT Therapy is about being willing to create a rich and meaningful life.
What is ACT?
ACT stands for Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and it is a third-generation cognitive behavioural therapy that incorporates mindfulness techniques. ACT derives its understanding of life from philosophy and the wealth of scientific data now available. It’s a mix of many different theories and it also contains elements of Buddhist philosophy/psychology.
ACT Therapy focuses on being open to and willing to accept the reality that too much effort controlling what we feel and think actually prevents us from living a full and meaningful life. Psychological flexibility is developed by responding to circumstances with a willingness to experience a full range of emotions.
The goal is to let thoughts and feelings be and to focus on developing an accepting, non-judgemental, compassionate, loving and kind attitude towards all inner experiences – including unwanted ones. During the therapy, the goal is also to help you respond more flexibly and accept both positive and negative thoughts and feelings. This process aims to restore your ability to pursue what truly matters to you. It will also cultivate awareness and understanding of what it means to live in alignment with your personal values.
This is where you take an active action on upon your values and goals while accepting that uncomfortable feelings and thoughts may arise, potentially trying to steer you away from facing the discomfort. ACT can help you embrace and live by your important personal values while also accepting the discomfort that may arise along the way.
